Nita Strauss recently nominated her top 11 metal guitarists of all time to Revolver, and Mötley Crüe’s new guitarist, John 5, was among them. Strauss has had the opportunity to see John 5 perform and pay tribute to Mick Mars firsthand since Alice Cooper joined Def Leppard and Mötley Crüe on tour. According to Strauss: “When he plays the classic Mötley Crüe solos, he’s really paying tribute to Mick [Mars].” He’s playing it just like the album, with no embellishments or additions that don’t match the song.” Strauss went on to say that she knows Rob Zombie’s former guitarist’s ‘smile’ on stage. She stated, ” “And you can see, I think, John’s a pretty serious guy a lot of the time on stage, seeing him with Zombie, seeing him with the solo stuff.
” And seeing this shit-eating grin on his face for the majority of the show, I understand.” Nita also revealed that she is in the same boat as John when she performs alongside Alice Cooper, saying: “I completely understand because I feel like that on stage with Alice.” And it’s just so fantastic to watch him having so much fun, doing such a great job, and paying so much respect to Mick Mars, the original.” Strauss recalled touring with Mötley Crüe’s original lineup in 2014. Alice’s guitarist described how she felt when she witnessed John 5 take over for Mars. Nita stated: “Just getting to watch him [John 5] with Mötley has been such a treat.” Because I got to see Mick Mars while touring with Mötley Crüe’s original lineup for two years in 2014 and 2015. And Mick was so good that it was inconceivable for anyone to think who could fill Mick Mars’s shoes.”
